ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire – Amnesty International is calling on the next president of Côte d’Ivoire to make human rights a central priority, releasing a manifesto that outlines key areas for reform ahead of the October 25 presidential election.
The human rights organization’s move comes as the country grapples with heightened political tensions following the finalization of the candidate list.
The manifesto, launched after the official list of candidates was published on September 9, 2025 highlighting six urgent human rights issues.
According to Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, the next president must address violations of fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.
The organization points to the country’s penal code, which criminalizes “fake news” and penalizes participants in undeclared demonstrations.
Amnesty International argues these provisions are often used to silence critical voices and calls for legal reforms to align the country’s laws with international human rights standards.
Amnesty International’s manifesto also addresses the critical issue of forced evictions, which have affected tens of thousands of people in Abidjan.
The organization urges the future president to halt these practices and ensure that victims receive fair compensation and adequate rehousing in accordance with international law.
Furthermore, the manifesto calls for the new administration to ensure justice and reparations for victims of past electoral violence.
It notes that while the 2018 Amnesty law benefited many, the families of those killed and injured in the 2020 post-election violence are still waiting for justice.
The organization is also calling for the restoration of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ jurisdiction to hear individual complaints, a right that was withdrawn by the government in 2020.
Other key priorities outlined in the manifesto include:
• Tackling gender-based violence: Ensuring survivors have immediate access to medical and psychological support without financial barriers.
• Protecting children’s rights: Prioritizing the fight against child labor and ensuring all children have access to civil registration.
• Guaranteeing a healthy environment: Enforcing laws against illegal logging and land grabbing, and creating mechanisms for communities to seek remedies for environmental degradation.
As the country prepares for a high-stakes election, Amnesty International is calling on all presidential candidates to publicly commit to these human rights priorities, stating that the election offers a crucial opportunity to strengthen human rights in Côte d’Ivoire.
